Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Reentry)

About this role

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth</strong></p></div><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)">Who We Are:</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)">Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)">Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform — one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)">Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)">Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space-based defense and logistics.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p></p> <p><strong>What You'll Do</strong></p> <p>As&nbsp;a&nbsp;<strong>Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Reentry</strong>&nbsp;at Inversion, you will report directly to the&nbsp;<strong>Director of Mechanical, Reentry</strong>. In this role, you will broadly own new product introduction manufacturing and integration engineering tasks across multiple vehicle programs. You will bridge the gap between design and physical flight hardware, establishing the assembly standards and integration workflows for primary structures, mechanism integration, thermal protection systems (TPS), and complex mechanical interfaces. You will work autonomously to solve high-complexity assembly challenges, mentor junior engineers, and coordinate closely with the centralized production team to ensure Inversion’s vehicles are built safely, repeatedly, and on schedule.</p> <p><strong>Key&nbsp;Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Develop, optimize, and contribute to various vehicle program assembly and integration processes, with an emphasis on new product introduction and qualification/protoqualification hardware</li> <li>Author, review, and approve detailed manufacturing work instructions, structural assembly procedures, and integration checklists.</li> <li>Design, procure, and qualify vehicle integration tooling, assembly fixtures, and ground support equipment (GSE) using CAD software.</li> <li>Lead the disposition of floor non-conformances (MRB), perform rigorous root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions for structural and mechanical integration issues</li> <li>Coordinate directly with internal work resource centers and personnel to schedule and execute part deliveries, structural bonding, mechanical fabrication, and subassembly integration.</li> <li>Establish standard practices for precision mechanical joints, fasteners, adhesives, and critical interface alignments.</li> <li>Mentor junior and mid-level integration and manufacturing engineers, ensuring high quality standards and adherence to safety and engineering practices on the vehicle floor.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Required Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.</li> <li>Typically 5+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace manufacturing, hardware integration, structural assembly, or vehicle-level build environments.</li> <li>Proven experience authoring detailed assembly procedures, managing build configurations, and driving floor execution.</li> <li>Experience designing tooling, fixtures, or GSE in CAD (Siemens NX or equivalent) and applying standard GD&amp;T per ASME Y14.5.</li> <li>Direct experience with structural bonding, composite assembly, mechanical fastening, or thermal protection system (TPS) integration.</li> <li>Familiarity with Material Review Board (MRB) processes, non-conformance tracking, and root-cause analysis.</li> <li>Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.</li> <li>Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.</li> <li><strong>This position is on-site at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA.</strong></li> <li><strong>Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>Desired Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or high-reliability aerospace hardware assembly.</li> <li>Experience with aerospace cleaning, bonding preparations, and cleanroom operations.</li> <li>Familiarity with high-pressure fluid systems, pyrotechnics installation, or flight avionics harnessing integration.</li> <li>Familiarity with Thermal Protection System (TPS) manufacturing processes.</li> <li>Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><em><span data-contrast="none"><span data-fontsize="11">Th